“This party is the students’ exam, the culmination of ESN’s Salsa School and a chance for them to show off their new found dancing skills,” said ESN Coordinator Oscar Boije when quizzed on ESN’s recent Latin Party.
The reality, of course, could not have been further from an exam. Instead, the graduates of ESN’s first ever Salsa School met with hundreds of other students to immerse themselves in some Latino culture at ESN’s Latin Party, held last week at Wermlands Nation.
– We came up with the idea for the Latin Party at the same time as we decided to start the Salsa School. Nations offer parties but they are always the same, we wanted to showcase a different culture and way of having fun, remarked Oscar.
A drinks menu taking inspiration from across Latin America, dinner of home-made chilli, live bachata music and even a surprise piñata helped to create a unique event on the Lund social calendar.
Oscar Bojje revealed that he hoped the novelty of the night would challenge the notion that ESN events are only for the enjoyment of exchange students:
– Yes we are primarily an international scheme, but we also aim to have more integration with as many people coming along as possible.
The hope didn’t prove misplaced with Swedish student Anja Broman an enthusiastic attendee:
– I study Spanish, love Latino music and food and have lived in Mexico for a year so this was an event that had everything I could ask for.
But it wasn’t just the linguists who were in attendance as Swedish masters student William Bickford, illustrated:
– Even though I fell over a couple of times and spilled some sangria on myself, I still had fun! Just something totally different to try.
There were also a considerable number of exchange students making their presence felt at the event with Italian Adriano Soccorsi saying:
– Never thought I’d be dancing salsa in Sweden, or trying to at least. Didn’t think I’d get to try so many drinks from all over the world either. But I did it all tonight!
Afterwards, Oscar set to cool the Latin Fever as he revealed that it is unlikely that the event will become a regular occurrence. ESN’s efforts will instead focus on creating as wide a variety of events as possible:
– Maybe it will be once a year or once a semester but no more than that. We have many other ideas and themes – the “Write on me” party that we are planning for example.
After the popularity of their first Salsa School, ESN have decided to run a second course with four men’s places still available in the beginners section for those interested, so it appears that Latin Fever may be around in Lund for some time to come.
